Associate Prof Allan Blackman, of the University of Otago
chemistry department, prepares for the start of the new
university year, with copies of the first-year chemistry
text book, of which he was lead author. Photo by Gregor
Richardson.
Students encountering University of Otago Associate Prof
Allan Blackman during one of his huge first-year chemistry
lecture classes can expect plenty of enthusiasm, a dash of
humour and even a few chocolate fish.
At a glance
Name: Associate Prof Allan Blackman
Age: 47
Years in role: Lecturer since 1991
Study: BSc (Hons), PhD, both from Otago
(1982-89)
Each year, Prof Blackman (47) faces a double challenge -
starting with the seemingly daunting task of regularly
lecturing to classes of 550 students, which is the maximum
capacity of the main St David lecture theatre, the
university's biggest lecturing venue.
His other potential problem is teaching chemistry. This is a
subject about which he feels passionate, but which is
regarded by many others - probably unfairly - as being dull
and unpopular.
In an interview, he quickly rises to the challenge,
emphasising that chemistry is much more important and
interesting than some people would have us believe.
"Everything in a supermarket, everything that you eat, that's
all got to go through quality control. That involves analysis
of the foodstuffs, using techniques common to chemistry," he
points out.
Chemistry, including ocean chemistry, is also deeply involved
in the international scientific effort to better understand
and counter global climate change.
And the Centre for Chemical and Physical Oceanography, a
joint collaboration with Niwa and based in the Otago
chemistry department, won the Prime Minister's $500,000 top
science award, for related work last year.
Born in Dunedin, Prof Blackman attended Otago Boys' High
School, before pursuing study at Otago University, followed
by overseas postdoctoral work.
With chemistry head Prof Lyall Hanton, Prof Blackman teaches
a big first-year chemistry paper, "The chemical basis of
biology and human health", and several days a week lectures
to one group of 550 students, and another group of about 250.
To help things along, he plays some music at the start of
each class, hands out a chocolate fish to anyone who can
identify the music, and also displays a few cartoons, by way
of light relief, part-way through the talk.
"It becomes more of a performance than just a straightforward
lecture."
He brings plenty of passion to his task, but also clearly
knows his stuff. He is, for example, lead author of
Chemistry, the introductory chemistry text book used by the
class.
He has won two awards for teaching excellence, one from the
Otago University Students' Association, and the other from
the university.
But he carries his achievements lightly and remains
characteristically humble when acknowledging the sizeable
challenge involved in teaching huge first-year classes.
"Anyone who says they don't get nervous in front of an
audience like that is probably telling a fib," , Prof
Blackman says.
He doesn't take himself too seriously and jokes that
"everyone makes a fool of themselves" - sometimes with only a
few people about, but sometimes, in front of a large group.
"It's just a matter of scale," he adds with a smile.
He clearly loves his job and enjoys seeing students start to
understand certain scientific concepts more clearly.
And he likes interacting with students, often being
approached around campus by current or former students.
"It's always nice. They say 'Hi' and 'Thank you' and that
sort of stuff."
Prof Blackman writes the column, Chemistry
Matters, for the Otago Daily Times.
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